Harmful Algae Blooms
and their solutions
Our goal is to intercept nutrients from source waters - with a floating island, hungry plants and a diversity of species that will compete with phytoplankton (algae) for those nutrients.What are Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs)?HABs are caused when too many nutrients present in the water overtax the ability of the natural system to remove them. Many bodies of water receive inflow from agriculture, stormwater management, septic systems or landscaping, which carries an unnaturally high nutrient load making them susceptible to HABs. HABs affect municipal waterways and recreational ponds as well as large lakes and have become a global environmental problem.
HABs are harmful to aquatic life, animals, and even humans. An algae bloom is usually offensive, creating unpleasant smells and turning water green and cloudy. HABs can also result in fines and citations from environmental regulatory authorities. BioHaven solutions for HABs"We calculate that 3,200 lbs of phosphorus would be removed by 1,500 m2 of aerated BioHavens and would equate to the removal of about 3.6 million lbs/yr of algae or 1,600 metric tons/yr." BioHaven Floating Islands have been used in ponds and small lakes to treat algae for over a decade and their success has been well documented. Please refer to the BioHaven science section for a refresher on how BioHavens work. On large lakes and even drinking water reservoirs, the limiting factor is funding. Harmful Algae Blooms are on the increase, in number and severity, and technology is needed on such a large scale it is virtually unaffordable. With the introduction of NanoHaven and Solar BioHavens, we will change this. BioHaven® HAB-reducing products
Holistic treatmentBioHaven Floating Islands represent a holistic way to remove the problem-causing nutrients from a waterway and convert them into a beautiful and wildlife-enhancing floating island habitat. The process starts with the massive surface area provided by FII’s BioHaven matrix which “houses” more microbes, and more microbes equal cleaner and healthier water.
The microbes that form biofilm on BioHaven Floating Islands feed from the same nutrients that algae feed from. The more BioHavens doing duty as housing units for biofilm, the more microbes are present in the pond. The more food they eat, the more they will starve out algae. In addition to supplying surface area for biofilm, the roots of the island plants extending downward keep usable oxygen in the water, carrying it to a depth of up to four feet, the zone where the majority of a pond’s life abounds. |
Benefits of a BioHaven solution: Solar BioHaven enables a community to benefit from a large-scale BioHaven solution by also using it as a platform for a solar power generation. The power generated can serve the community or the power company; either way the community gets its lake treated as a by-product of the power generation. |
Reach out for more information or to discuss whether your project would benefit from adding a Solar BioHaven Floating Island. |